Bruce Ely, The OregonianSteve Blake drives to the basket against Houston in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Blake is expected to be able to practice within six to eight weeks, well before the start of fall training camp.

"Steve continues to experience some shoulder discomfort," said Portland general manager Kevin Pritchard. "We need to go in, clean a few things up and get it stabilized."

The injury originally occurred when Blake separated his right shoulder trying to fight through a screen in the second quarter of Portland's game at Philadelphia on January 14. The injury sidelined Blake for five games. He returned to action on January 26 at the Los Angeles Clippers and re-aggravated the injury in the second quarter, forcing him to miss an additional eight games.

Blake averaged 11 points and 5 assists during the 2008-09 regular season. In the playoffs he averaged 9.8 points and 6.2 assists.

The surgery will be performed by Dr. Neal S. ElAttrache at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.